DYNAMOS treasurer Webster Marechera was arrested on Monday for allegedly swindling $29 000 from the club as players boycotted training yesterday over outstanding signing-on fees, allowances and winning bonuses ahead of their match against AS Vita this weekend.
TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
Marechera’s case is being handled by the CID Serious Fraud Squad and the matter was reported at the Mbare Police Station under CR N0 384/2/14.
However, the Dynamos hierarchy was reportedly trying to have him released yesterday after it emerged that he had given a satisfactory explanation over the issue to the club’s founding fathers.
Dynamos board of directors secretary Chris Kasiyazi confirmed the arrest of Marechera, but said this followed a misunderstanding among themselves over the missing $29 000 as a result of under-banking from 10 matches last season.
“I can confirm that he was arrested on Monday. There was a misunderstanding over the issue between ourselves. There was information which was not forthcoming and this resulted in him being picked up.
“But he has since given us a satisfactory explanation. We had a board meeting this morning (yesterday) and everything has been clarified and we are now working to have him released because from the information we have now, he has not done anything wrong,” said Kasiyazi.
Dynamos secretary Webster Chikengezha said he was not aware of the development.
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“I have been trying to get hold of him, but I have not managed up to now. I am not the best person to speak to on this issue because I don’t deal with finance,” said Chikengezha.
DeMbare players refused to train demanding payment of outstanding allowances, winning bonuses and signing-on fees.
Dynamos have a high and steep cliff to climb as they travel to Kinshasa, DRC, for the return leg of the Caf Orange Champions League second leg of the first round against AS Vita after they were held to a 0-0 draw at home.
They need at least a scoring draw to advance to the second round of Africa’s premier club football competition or an outright win. But with players demoralised over non-payment of signing-on fees and winning bonuses, it will be a miracle if the Zimbabwe champions advance to the second round of the tournament.
A player who spoke to our sister paper NewsDay Sport on condition of anonymity yesterday afternoon said morale was at its lowest ebb.
“We have not been paid our winning bonuses for the match against Mochudi Centre Chiefs. Normally we get paid on Sundays after the match and we had been promised we would be paid, but up to now we have not received anything,” said the player.
“The guys are saying we cannot take it anymore because we still have not been paid winning bonuses for the Mbada Diamonds Cup last year. Most players have also not been paid their signing-on fees. The situation is really bad and it is difficult to expect players to give their best when they are not being paid. We have not heard anything from the executive.”
